The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-21
voLAPUK In THE PUBIC SCHOOLS.

Written for the indianapolis journal.
In this age of progress there is no better
medium for the PRONUNCIATION of universal ad-
vantages than tae public school system; and as
all systems vary suit the necessities of the
times, this system has outstrippsd its old-tims
aspiration to successfully inculcate the business
principles involved in the immortal 'three
Rs" and has taken upon itself to throw in, as it
were. other accomplishments, formerly consid-
cred foreign to its purpose, such as drawing.
painting and, account of Its alleged mercan-
tile advantages, instruction in the German Ian
guage. There those who have opposed these
innovations with great zeal, and some argument
The PnilIstines, however. like the Buddhists,
have always outnumbered the orthodox advo-
Gates Of true progress. The public is always ia.
satiate, for
"Das Publikum das ist Elm Mann
Der Allies weis und gar NIGHTS kann.
It has been asserted by the caviers that the
inculcation of the fundamental principles for
which this glorious system is supposed to have
been instituted. is more or less hampered by
teaching these additional branches. But can it
be prevent In crowdne the roots Of growing
plants they are frequently rendered moro pro-
life as boomers 1t has also been declared by
the PhiIistines that On account of this crowding
and the mechanical tendency of the system,
boys and girls have been compelled to attend
business colleges after graduation, in order
boo y-politc. But, according to the new YER
sion, alas! prejudice, like justice is blind
folded
AS believer in the accepted theory that the
true aim of government is the greatest good to
the greatest number, and reasoning from analo-
gy in the matter of teaching languages. | hold,
that from a business standpoint which always
makes the American view.-that there is now
demand, in the interest of national and edu-
canonal progress. for the teaching of Volapuk
In the public schools Nay, more; 1t Is an inter-
national requirement., as it 10 the universal Ian
euage. More than five hundred Thousand peo-
pie have learned it in Europe; telegraphers
officially required it in Denmark. and
Rev. Father Schleyer, its inventor hopes
to induce the German government to include
1t in the list of languages transmissible By tele-
graph. It is not intended TO supersede any liv-
ing language. but ought to be learned
by every educated person, and espe-
cially by those engaged in mercantile
pursuits. It's simplicity is it's CHEZ merit, and
is the result of twenty years of laborious re-
search the part of its originator, Father
John Martin Schleyer. a retired Roman Catholic
priest, now living at Constance, Germany. His
first grammar published in 1879. Failing
health required his retirement from the ministry
In 1885, since which time he has published many
books the subject Father Schleyer is said
to be more OF less familiar with sixty different
languages. and is poet as well as musician.
AS innovation II has made wonderful prog
ress, having gained firm footing in Germany,
Switzerland, Holland, Hungary, Italy. France,
Sweden. Austria, Syria, Arabia, Southern Rus
sla. Asia. North Africa and in the Eastern part
of the United States it has been learned by
considerable number of people, while the foyer
is fast spreading westward.
II Is scarcely necessary to explain the advant-
ages of universal language; the various at
Temps which have been made to compose such
a lanuuage dnring the last two centuries suf-
hcienty emphasize such demand. Being yet
In its infancy it is necessarily imperfect, and
the several grammarians differ more or less
from Father Sehleyer's teaching. Its perfection,
however. will be evolved by necessity. Father
Scheyer's mode OF accenting is not followed by
other grammarans, are the peculiar charac-
tiers which he invented used. additional ex-
pense in procuring them would be Incurred by
printine-houses. Tho alphabet consists OF the
same number OF vowels as tho English language
with the German sounds, aud the addition OF